THE wife of a marine who dodged Taliban bullets in a dash to save his comrades in Afghanistan has praised his bravery.

Amber Kendrick described her Portesham-born husband John, serving with 40 Commando in Helmand, as her ‘hero’.

Marine Kendrick, a former pupil of Portesham Primary School and All Saints School, Wyke Regis, dashed across open ground under heavy fire to protect his comrades after they were attacked and penned in by insurgents.

Marine Kendrick, 25, said his unit of Marines and Afghan National Army soldiers was on its way to a mosque on foot to meet the local mullah when they were ambushed and the group was split. He said: “I spoke to my boss and said I’m going to close the gap and give them cover.

“I had the fastest dash of my life.

“I ‘hard targeted’ (ran in a zig-zag) to prevent myself from being shot.

“Once at their location I tapped my mate on the shoulder to let him know that support had arrived.

“At this point we spotted a hole in the neighbouring wall and targeted it with our weapons poised.”

Marine Kendrick, who now lives in Taunton, said his training ‘kicked-in’ during the incident in Helmand province.

Moments after his dash to help his comrades, the patrol – made up of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) members and Afghan soldiers – regrouped and continued to the mosque.

Marine Kendrick said: “It was a partnered patrol.

“We were getting into our stride when we were contacted by insurgent forces and our training cut in.

“Initial evasive manoeuvres had resulted in the people at the front being about 40 metres ahead of the body of the patrol.”

Fortunately no one was injured during the mission and the group made it to the mosque safely.

Marine Kendrick said: “The Mullah said that he rarely has ISAF visitors because whenever they came this way, they were targeted by insurgents.

“This is definitely the most memorable thing that has happened to me in the Royal Marines to date – helping my colleagues out of trouble and being thanked by the locals for caring.”

John Kendrick’s wife Amber, 25, said she could not wait until he came home to be reunited with her and their daughter Lila, two.

Mrs Kendrick said: “It must have been horrific and really frightening for him but I’m really proud of what he has achieved.

“It must be really hard for him out there and I can’t wait until he’s back home – he’s my and Lila’s hero.”

Marine Kendrick is almost half way through his first six-month tour of Afghanistan and is in his fourth year with the Royal Marines.

He is stationed at a small patrol base called Blenheim, north of forward operating base Jackson in Helmand.